Thursday, July 21, 2016

MONTGOMERY, Alabama — The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) released its preseason awards at their annual Media Day at the Doubletree by Hilton Wednesday morning.

Senior defensive end Julian Morgan was on the receiving end of those awards, chosen the Preseason SIAC Defensive Player of the Year by a vote of the league’s head coaches and sports information directors.

Despite missing three games, Morgan was named second team All-Conference last season with 56 total tackles. The senior led the team with 15.5 tackles for loss and was among the nation’s leaders with 9.5 sacks per game in 2015. He was also second on the team in quarterback hurries with nine.

His best game last season came against Stillman in which he was named the SIAC Player of the Week. The senior finished with 11 tackles, seven tackles for loss, four sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

He also recorded 12 tackles in a second round playoff victory over North Alabama on the road. In that game, he finished with three tackles for loss and a pair of sacks.